Edward DeAngelis, CEO, EDA Contractors, advocates emotional intelligence and psychological safety.
Growing up, I had a paper route, and I quickly learned a simple truth: Working with pride pays off.
While other paper boys wore their frustrations on their sleeves, I found that kindness made my job easier and more rewarding. A smile, a friendly greeting or simply holding the door open not only made my interactions enjoyable but also drew people to me.
This was my first taste of how positivity could shape my environment—of how working with pride and kindness could transform an experience.
A Consistent Pattern
I realized this wasn’t just an isolated incident; teachers responded better, friends felt more connected and even my family appreciated my effort to exude kindness, care and a sense of pride in my activities.
By simply being pleasant, working proud and doing my best each day, I could foster and build a foundation for successful interactions in all aspects of my life.
A Foundation For Building A Lifetime Of Success
This concept of pride is highly relevant in a business setting. Just by implementing a few key strategies, you can create a motivated, engaged and high-performing workforce.
When employees take pride in their work and their organization, they are more engaged and motivated. This leads to higher levels of productivity and a greater desire to go above and beyond in their roles. The overall sense of fulfillment can reduce turnover rates, for employees are more inclined to stay with an organization where they feel valued and appreciated.
To support a culture of pride in the workplace, I encourage you to try some or all these strategies:
Appreciating Positive Acts
Regularly acknowledging and celebrating employees’ achievements, both big and small, helps them feel valued and proud of their work. I recommend implementing formal recognition programs and offering consistent, positive feedback to significantly boost morale. Overall, foster a “work proud” environment by celebrating efforts that result in thriving business outcomes.
Empowering Autonomy
Giving employees control over their tasks and decisions fosters a sense of ownership in their work. When employees feel trusted and empowered, they are more likely to take initiative and strive for excellence. Believing in your workforce’s collective capability to work proudly and support the betterment of the organization is a vital empowerment all leaders should embrace.
Promoting Purpose
I’ve seen firsthand how powerful it is when employees truly understand how their work contributes to the organization’s mission and goals. When they can see the real impact of their efforts, it creates a deeper connection to the company.
This kind of engagement doesn’t just boost motivation—it builds a work culture where people ultimately drive the business forward. Therefore, you always want to think of ways to sustain this mindset and culture.
Leading With Kindness
Leaders can set a powerful example for their employees. By showing commitment, enthusiasm and a positive attitude, you can inspire your team to adopt the same mindset—one rooted in kindness and authenticity with a focus on collective work.
By implementing these small steps toward embracing a philosophy of working proud, business leaders and managers can create a culture where employees take pride in their work and express a motivation to contribute to the organization’s success.
Start today in creating a work culture where everyone can be successful, sharing in a sense of pride that can help forge opportunities, amplify productivity and build a legacy.
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